“Cuban style”
Trinidad Cuba October 2017 (12 photos)
This is part 3 of my Cuba 2017 photo series.
Let’s leave Havana for a moment. And if you’re going to visit Cuba, I do recommend you taking the time to get out of Havana and visiting a regional area, if you are able to.
When one hears of Trinidad, one tends to think of the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Well at least I did.
“Trinidad Cuba – the view from the roof of my casa particular”
However there is also a town named Trinidad in southern central Cuba in the province of Sancti SpΓritus, close to the Caribbean coastline of Cuba. Together with the nearby Valle de los Ingenios, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988.
“At the doorstep of giants”
Trinidad is one of Cuba’s best preserved colonial towns with colourful buildings and cobblestone streets. Its neo-baroque main square, Plaza Mayor, is surrounded by grand colonial buildings.
“How much is that doggy in the window?”
I spent 3 days in Trinidad. It is as far east as I went in Cuba. Formerly, sugar was the main industry here. Now it’s tobacco.
“United colours of Trinidad”
“Revolucion”
As with all parts of Cuba that I visited, images of Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and the Revolution are not hard to find. The mural above was in the playground of a revolutionary primary school museum that I wandered into by chance. The curator was half asleep. My appearance startled him but he kindly let me wander and take photos everywhere. I didn’t understand much of what he tried to tell me. I just nodded and smiled every so often. I gave him CUC$10 for his time even though there was no admission fee. He was incredibly grateful.
“Yo soy Fidel”
I am Fidel.
“You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension.”
But as in the rest of Cuba, dilapidation and grunge is easy to find.
“Downtown Trinidad”
“Cowboy of the Caribbean”
I didn’t see any pirates in the Caribbean but I did see this cowboy standing on a corner. I went up to speak to him, continuing my experimentation with interacting with the locals before taking their photo, as detailed in my previous post Our Man In Havana. I like how he just looked into the distance rather than at my camera after he agreed to let me photograph him.
Then I saw a horse tied up outside a house. In fact it was a barber shop and there was a cowboy getting a haircut inside. I was going to walk away after photographing the horse but after a few seconds of hesitation I thought, what the heck. So I walked straight into the barber shop and gave my usual spiel to the cowboy:
Hola! Soy de Australia. Puedo tomar te foto, por favor?
He nodded and raised his index finger which I understood to mean he wanted payment of CUC$1. I had no problem with that. Afterall, I had just interrupted his haircut.
After taking a few photos, I gave him $1. I even gave the barber $1 even though he didn’t ask for it. There was also another guy waiting for a haircut. I took his photo as well and gave him $1 – after all I didn’t want him to feel left out. I think I gave Australians a good name in Trinidad.
Does anyone else think my blog is starting to look like an excerpt from the National Geographic magazine?
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Update: My Cuba post Havana good time has now been featured on WordPress’ Discover site. My thanks to the editorial team.
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This is part 3 of my Cuba 2017 photo series.
Click here for part 1 of my Cuba 2017 photo series.
This is part 3 of my photo series of my 2017 trip to the USA, Mexico, Cuba, and Canada.
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
Incredible post, this photos are gorgeous!
Thank you very much. π
Spectacular photos of people and places that I would otherwise never see. A resilient people. There is a distinct beauty in the colors and buildings. It’s sad to see them disintegrating.
Thank you. Yes, the buildings and colours are beautiful and there is a beauty in the decay as well. But it is a shame to see so much of it falling apart, as in the rest of Cuba.
What an interesting place and awesome photos!!
Cuba is an amazing place to photograph. The people are so friendly.
And it’s so colourful. I’d love to go there but I may have to settle for your photos π
Never but never, but I’m glad I can bring you some of the colour and charm of this beautiful country.
Enjoyed your photos, as ever Draco. And those striking blues! What makes that colour so intense? Is the light different from Australia? M
Blues, greens, pinks and oranges are common in Cuba on buildings and cars. They’re striking alone and in combination. Maybe it’s the tint and light in combination. I don’t know but it’s very characteristic.
yes National Geographic will be after your talents – especially as you are getting right in to the atmosphere with permissive candid shots
Thanks. I’ve learnt that getting close is the key. I’ve seen Steve McCurry in action.
I have yet to have the courage
It was way to do in Cuba. I’m not sure I can do it as easily back home in Sydney.
It does look like Cuba still largely embraces – and stuck – in the past. You see it in the buildings, the people, the streets where it seems the locals are proud of their culture. Not that it’s a bad thing. To many of us in the developed Western world, this pace of life is something different altogether. Yes, can see how this can easily be part of a National Geographic publication. Smooth and sharp π Congrats on the Discover feature π
Many thanks, Mabel. Cuba is stuck in the past by the US embargo against them. It’s fascinating to experience and see, but I hope their conditions improve. I enjoyed being there and experiencing everything Cuba had to offer.
I have to agree with Laura. These are wonderful shots – never mind National Geographic, your cowboy could be in a fashion magazine! A very colourful post LD π
Thanks kindly, Jude. I wasn’t sure about photographing him because his shirt was “wrong” for a cowboy but he made a great subject anyway. π
Colour is everywhere in Cuba. I think it’s fabulous to see.
Congratulations on being featured. The photo of cars here is wonderful. Why do barber shops give such compelling photos?
Thank you very much. Unintentionally, or perhaps subconsciously, each of my 3 Cuban posts so far have featured barber shops. Yes, they are compelling. Maybe it’s the potential danger of the knife?
Something to reflect about π
Indeed.
LD is way better than NG. Everyone knows this. π Iβll give you a dollar if you visit Chicago.
Thank you very much. Maybe I should change the name of this blog to National Dracographic. π
Ok put that $1 aside. I’ll claim it with some coffee and cake when I arrive.
Deal!!!
See you then. π
As usual engaging street photography that gives clues to the culture.
Thank you, Sally. It is difficult not to immerse oneself in the beauty and culture of Cuba when surrounded by it.
Great images, Draco….and Trinidad looks much the same as it did over a decade ago when I was there….
Thanks, sue. Over a decade ago and it still looks the same. Yes, that’s Cuba. The sight of cars, motorbikes, bicycles, horses and buses on cobblestone roads at the same time was interesting. It has hard enough for my feet.
Cars, horses, cyclists and hitch hikers on the motorway when I was there…..π³π³π§
You’re right. It hasn’t changed.
π
Next time yuo have to go more far to the east. Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa worth it. Santiago is the most traditional city, It is call ¨The revolution´s cradle¨. Baracoa was the first village build by spaniard.
Just a suggestiΓ³n.
Your travel, your pic and now your post are amazing. Thanks for them.
Thank you very much. You are not the first Cuban to tell me I should go further east to Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa. Now, I have reason to return there. Images I’ve seen on the internet tempt me there.
They seem so naturally photogenic over there. You’re better than National Geo, in my opinion. Just as talented, but more down-to-Earth and approachable. π I saw that you were featured on Discover. So well-deserved.
Thank you very much for the compliments, Julie. I felt so comfortable there and they just seemed to be so receptive. I loved it there.
Wonderful, colourful Cuba! Congrats on the feature on Discover as well. I really admire your way of walking up to people for a photograph. Totally love the cowboy and the barbershop shots.
Thank you very much, Leya. The people in Cuba are vey friendly. The worst that could happen is they say no. However, most people said yes. I couldn’t leave without asking. π
Yes, the entire series ought to be on NG and all the top travel magazines in the world!! Love the colors of the car, door, wall, and houses you captured. The dog seems happy there. π I’m impressed with your Spanish, very cool! π
Muchas gracias, Dragon!
You’re too kind, Amy. Maybe I’ll change my blog’s name to National Dracographic. π π π
Cuba is very colourful. It’s everywhere and it suits the subtropical climate. There’s so much to photograph there.
A little bit of Spanish helped to bridge the cultural gap just a bit. The camera took me the rest of the way.
I love the blog name, Dragon!
So glad you took this grand trip to these many places and this far., and had such a great time meeting people and taking photos. π
Thank you very much, Amy. It was a full on experience in Cuba and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Update: My lawyers advise me not to change my blog name. A lawsuit from NG would not be a pleasant thing. LOL π
Beauty, authenticity and vitality – those are the synonyms of your pictures.
You are very generous. Thank you very much.
Very good shots and I also enjoyed reading your text. Looking forward for the next episode… π
Thank you very much.
National Dracographic… now that works π
Works for me, too. But National Geographic might not be too happy about it. LOL
Probably not. Crying shame. Good idea of yours though!
Thanks. LOL
Of these photos, it is the one of the dog that captures my imagination. It seems so every day and yet not.
I get that too. There’s a kind of human quality showing with the dog peering between the bars.
Just love your posts. This is great. Loved you giving $1βs out at the barber shop. And isnβt that little dog too cute.
Thanks, Sue. If I’m going to interrupt someone’s haircut, the least I can do is give him a dollar. I was having a good time so I had no qualms about spreading the cheer.
The dog just kept peering out and around the bars. It could have easily walked between them but didn’t. π
Too sweet about the little dog.
π
The fascination continues I can understand you being in the discover series these images are so colourful and happy. That little grey door fascinates me, the block of wood at the bottom, is it to keep it from swinging open, and why does the plaster stop and expose the grey bricks. Was there once a bigger door in the space??? It intrigues me as does the other great big door. In fact every photo spins a story I love them all. Hope you have lots more to show us…
Thank you very much. I think that block of wood was there to keep the door closed. You can see the handle and presumably the lock are missing. As to the other questions, your guess is as good as mine. I think the door may have been a new addition after the house was built but due to a lack of materials, perhaps the excess exposed bricks couldn’t be covered up again? I’m fascinated and boggled by the size of that door the guys are sitting in front of.
Really fascinating country
Absolutely
I can tell that Cuba was an endless source of entertainment for you. I’ll have to backtrack a bit. π π
Indeed it was, Jo.
Beautiful colors and great shots.
Thank you very much.
Your pics remind me for my trip to cuba so many years ago.
Thanks for repeat the journey …
Sonja
Gern geschehen. Es ist schwer, Kuba aus dem Kopf zu bekommen, nachdem du dort gewesen bist.
My pleasure. It’s hard to get cuba out of your mind after you’ve been there.
I wish this series never ends.
It’ll last for a quite a while yet. You know I’m rather slow at posting. LOL π
Awesome pictures! Thanks so much for sharing them.
My pleasure. Thanks. π
Mr Draco .. you and your camera loved Cuba! Wonderful images my friend ..wow! Cowboys, colour, haircuts .. happy dogs and life! Awesome .. I think next could be Iceland π
Cuba is a mix of experiences for the eyes and senses. Sorry I can’t show all the photos of the rum and mojitos i drank. π
I’d love to go to Iceland but I doubt it will be next year. Somewhere with sun during the time of the Australian winter is calling. You may even have been there. π
How did you know I like mojitos? Lol .. Ah somewhere hot, sounds like the Mediterranean to me! Iβm still busting to get to Iceland and Cuba is on that βhave to get toβ list. Congrats on the WP feature .. awesome Mr D
Thanks very much, Julie. Youβd love Cuba. Mojitos cost about $3. I usually had a couple daily. Pina coladas were a good choice too. LOL
Canβt have too much olive oil, I say. π
Agreed! π
π π π
These are such wonderful photographs, Lignum!
It looks like everything is so colorful there, and you have captured that so beautifully.
Thank you for sharing here.
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Thanks, Lisa. Tropical colours for a tropical climate. It certainly brightens the mood. Have a great week ahead.
Love your photos and the stories of the people that go along. Very interesting visit you had. Love the colors and the people seem very friendly
Thank you very much. I had a wonderful time there. Everywhere, people were very friendly.
The place looks like it has such character. Love the photos and your overall post!
Thank you very much. It does have a well preserved colonial style, thanks to heritage listing by UNESCO.
I like this article, it is very good, I am going to reblog it for you.
Much appreciated. Thank you very much.
Misleading the name of the colourful town Draco,compelling your photo series.You’ve wonderfully documented the local colour and the characters of your stories.
Thank you very much. The colours of life in Trinidad provide much inspiration.
The country is a prime example of people succeeding, in spite of government. The U.S. ought to take a good lesson from Cuba.
Indeed. The whole world should learn this lesson.
I also thought about the Caribbean Trinidad – wondered why you suddenly zoomed off else where in the middle of your Cuba series! Now I know.
What stands out for me in this series of photos is the colour! So vibrant and amazing!
I love the 2 doors you featured. Both are surreal in their own ways.
And that story in the barbershop! Priceless!
Thank you. Colour is a dominant feature of the housing in Cuba. It’s beautiful to see.